Container for corrosive materials



NOV. 10, 1959 E N EIAL 2,912,136

CONTAINER FOR CORROSIVE MATERIALS Filed March 12, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 zlvwvwbw. ,Qoaen-r L. QEDMOND AND Hownno .J. 730F435! Nov. 10, 1959 REDMOND ETAL 2,912,136

CONTAINER FOR CORROSIVE MATERIALS Filed March 12, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 2081527 L. QEDMQND AND HowAnoJ. 774oMse/v g m w W.

NOV. 10, 1959 REDMQND ETAL 2,912,136

CONTAINER FOR CORROSIVE MATERIAL S Filed March 12, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 QOBEQTL. )QEDMOND AND HowAQo J. E N-JEN CONTAINER FOR CORROSIVE MATERIALS Robert L. Redmond and Howard J. Thomsen, Detroit,

Mich., assignors to Automotive Rubber (30., Inc, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application March !12, 1956, Serial No. 570,805 Claims. (31; 220-63) This invention relates to containers for corrosive materials and particularly corrosive solids and liquids.

At the present time, corrosive solids and liquids are packaged and transported in drums or barrels made of a corrosive-resistant material such as stainless steel. Such drums are obviously expensive and therefore represent a substantial investment on the part of the manufacturer of the corrosive material. As a result, the empty containers must be returned to the manufacturer for reuse. This necessitates the added expense for the return transportation of the containers. This added cost is particularly high when the drum is returned from an overseas shipment.

It is an object of this invention to provide a container for corrosive materials which utilizes standard containers such as fiber drums or ordinary steel barrels, which are normally used for transporting non-corrosive materials.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a corrosion-resistant liner for standard drums or barrels, which liner may be easily inserted and removed.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a liner which may be readily removed and compacted in size for return to the manufacturer for reuse.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a liner wherein the liner protects the drum from being contaminated by the corrosive materials during filling or dispensing.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the container embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of a container with the parts in position for filling or dispensing, parts being broken away, a portion of the upper end being shown in greatly enlarged section.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the container after filling.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3, on a greatly enlarged scale.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 with the cover placed on the container.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modified form of the container.

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 2 showing a further modified form of the container.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of the liner.

Fig. 9 is an elevational view showing the liner of Fig. 8 in position in a filled container, a portion of the upper edge of the container being shown in greatly enlarged section.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the container shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a further modified form of liner.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the container embodying the liner shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary elevational view of the same,

States atent a portion of the upper end of the container being shown in greatly enlarged section.

Referring to Fig. 1, drum 10 is provided with a cover 11 adapted to be held in position on the upper end of the drum It by a contraction ring 12. Drum 10 may be of the usual type and size used for the transporta tion of non-corrosive materials, for example, a fiber or cardboard drum or an ordinary steel barrel. As shown in Fig. l, drum 10 is of the fiber or cardboard type and includes a cylindrical fiber side wall 13, fiber bottom wall 14, metal reinforcing ring 15 at the juncture of the side wall 13 and bottom wall 14, and metal reinforcing ring 16 at the upper edge of side wall 13.

As shown in Fig. 2, the upper ring 16 is U-shaped in cross section and includes a peripheral groove 17 in the. outer wall thereof and a corresponding annular bead 18 on the inner wall thereof.

According to the invention, a bag-like liner 21} is supported within the drum 10. Liner 20 is made of a flexible material which is corrosive resistant. By way of example, liner 2% may be made of rubber having a thickness of approximately one-eighth of an inch. As shown in Fig. 1, liner 20 includes a cylindrical side wall 21 having an external diameter substantially the same as the internal diameter of side wall 13 of drum 10. Liner 20 also includes a bottom wall 22.

The height of side Wall 21 of liner 20 is greater-than the height of side wall 13 of drum 10 sothat when liner 20 is inserted within drum 10 the upper end 23 of side wall 21 projects above the upper edge of drum 10 so that it may be folded over the metal ring 16 and snapped into contact'with the outer surface of metal ring 16 on the outside of drum 10, as shown in Fig. 2. In this position the drum and liner are in proper relationship for filling. The turned-over end 23 of the liner 20 protects the drum from the corrosive materials and prevents the corrosive materials from entering between drum 19 and liner 20. As a result, there is no danger of corrosive materials entering between drum 10 and liner 20 and subsequently causing damage. Any corrosive materials that fall on the outside of drum 10 during filling may be readily wiped or rinsed off without damage 'to the drum.

After the container has been filled with the corrosive materials, a liner cover 24 is inserted in the upper end of liner 20 to seal the liner. As shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, liner cover 24 includes a fiat portion 25 and an upstanding annular portion 26. Upstanding portion 26 is adapted to contact the surface of side wall 21 of the liner 20, when liner cover 24 is placed in position with flat portion 25 below bead 18-. An expanding ring 27 is then positioned below bead 18 and within liner cover 24 to force upstanding portion 26 and the adjacent portion of side wall 21 into sealing relationship against side wall 13 of drum 10. In this manner the liner cover 24 and liner are sealed and expanding ring 27 is prevented from inadvertent removal by head 18.

Expanding ring 27 is of the usual well-known type and includes a band 28, link 29 connected to one end of band 28 and link 30. connected to the other end thereof with the links 29, 30 pivotally connected to each;

ripheral section 32 which surrounds the upper end of drum 1t Contraction ring 12. is then placed in positionand actuated to seal the cover on the end offlthe. drum;

a manner that when both of the links are pivoted inthe same direction the band is contracted and locked around the peripheral section 32 of metal cover 11. Metal cover 11 may be provided with an annular groove 55 in the top surface thereof to facilitate stacking of the sealed drums and an annular groove 56 in the undersurface thereof to facilitate sealing thereof to the drum.

The container with the corrosive materials therein is now in condition for transportation or shipment to the user. The materials are sealed in the container entirely within the confines of liner 20 and liner cover 24 so that drum and cover 11 cannot be affected by the corrosive contents. Upon receipt, the user may remove metal cover 11 and liner cover 24 to provide access to the corrosive material. During dispensing, upper end 23 of side wall 21 may be again folded over the upper ring 16 of the drum to protect the drum and prevent corrosive materials from entering between the drum and the liner during the dispensing of the contents. By folding the upper end 23 over the end of the drum, the container may be used to hold the corrosive materials for an extended period without any danger of the corrosive materialsv entering between the liner and the drum and damaging, the container.

Liner 20 may be made without foldable upper end 23, as for example, where it is intended that the entire contents of the drum be used at one time or where automatic machines are used for filling or dispensing the contents of the container. Insuch case, as shown in Fig. 6, the height of side wall 21 of liner 20 is made substantially the same as the height of side wall 13 of drum 10 so that upper end 36 of the liner 20 terminates at the upper edge of side wall 13 of drum 10.

A temporary cover 37 may be provided over the end of the container to protect the contents thereof in the case where the materials are used only periodically (Fig. 7). Temporary cover 37 may be made of the same material as liner 20 and includes a top wall 38 and peripheral lip 39 which surrounds and tightly grips upper ring 16 of drum 10.

After the entire contents of the container have been used, liner 20 may be readily removed from drum 10; and, since it is made of a flexible material, liner 20 may be compacted into a small package and returned to the manufacturer for reuse in other drums. In addition, this construction permits the user to utilize the drum 10 for other non-corrosive uses such as trash collection, parts storage and the like. Liners 20 may be compacted in a single package, in a large package with other liners or a number of liners may be placed in one drum 10 for return shipment to the manufacturer of the corrosive materials.

It can thus be seen that there has been provided a container for corrosive materials which utilizes the drums or barrels which are normally used for non-corrosive materials. The invention comprises liners which may be readily inserted and removed from. the drums. The liners do not interfere in any way with the normal sealing of the drums. After being removed, the liners may be compacted and returned to the manufacturer of the corrosive materials for reuse. Since the drums are of inexpensive construction, they need not be returned to the manufacturer, thereby omitting the high cost of return transportation. The cost of returning the relatively small and lightweight compacted liners is low in comparison to the cost of returning the large drums.

The container shown in Figs. 1 through 7 is particularly adapted to use for storage and transportation of corrosive solids. A modified form of container for transporting corrosive liquids is shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. As shown in Fig. 8, liner 20' is similar to the liner shown in the previous forms of the invention and includes a generally cylindrical side wall 21', bottom wall 22' and foldable upper peripheral lip 23'. As shown in Fig. 9, liner 20 also includes a top wall 40 which is formed as an integral part of the liner 20 in spaced relationship to the upper end of side wall 21'. Top wall 44 is provided with openings 41 into which plugs 42 are threaded into liquid-tight relationship. Plugs 42 are made of a corrosive-resistant material similar to that from which liner 20 is made. One of the openings 41 may be used for filling and dispensing the contents while the other is used as an air vent.

Liner 20' is inserted in position within the drum. Expanding ring 27 is then positioned within liner 20, below head 18, and is actuated to seal the upper end of liner 20' against the inner surface of drum 10.

In order to fill, plugs 42 are removed to-expose openings 41, through which the container is filled. Upper foldable end 23 of liner 20' may be folded over the upper ring 16 of drum 10 during filling to protect the drum, as in the previous form of the invention. After filling, the upper lip 23 is folded back within the confines of drum 10 and metal cover 11 is sealed in position by contraction ring 12, as shown in Fig. 9, after plugs 42 have been reinserted in position.

After shipment to the user, the liquid contents may be dispensed by removing contraction. ring 12 and metal cover 11, folding lip 23' over the upper end of the drum to protect the drum, removing plugs 42 and dispensing the contents from openings 41 either by pouring or siphoning through the openings.

After the contents have been completely dispensed, liners 20 may be removed, compacted and returned to the manufacturer of the corrosive liquids for reuse as in the previous form of the invention.

The foldable lip 23 of insert 20' may be omitted (not shown) in instances where protection to the upper end of the drum is not required, for example, where the entire contents are used at one time or where automatic machinery is used for filling and dispensing the contents.

A further modified form of container for corrosive liquids is shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13. The liner shown in Fig. 11 is similar to the liner shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 except that upper edge 44 of side wall 21' terminates at a distance below the upper edge of drum 10 and an integral top wall 45 extends across the upper end of the liner. In this form of the invention, the liner is maintained in position within the drum 10 by metal cover 46 which includes a pair of depressed openings 47 in alignment with openings 49 in top wall 45 of liner 20'. Prior to inserting the liner in the drum, metal cover 46 is assembled to the liner by means of collars 50 threaded into openings 49. Each threaded collar 50 includes a flange which engages the upper surface of the metal cover 46. The assembled liner and cover are then placed in position within the drum and cover 46 is locked to the drum by contracting ring 12 as in the previous forms of the invention. In this position, metal cover 46 supports the liner within the drum. Filling and dispensing may take place through openings 51 in collars 50, the openings being sealed when not in use by plugs 52 threaded into openings 51 in collars 50. The threaded engagement of collars 50 in openings 49 and plugs 52 in openings 51 is such that a liquid-tight seal is provided, and the liner is suspended from the metal cover and prevented from collapsing within the drum even when the liner is partially full or empty.

The liner shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13 may be removed and returned to the manufacturer for reuse in the same manner as the previous forms of the invention. Metal cover 46 has the central portion thereof depressed in order to permit stacking of the assembled containers.

An additional advantage of the container for corrosive materials is that in the event that the drum is broken or pierced, the liner, because of its flexible nature and the fact that the liner is free and unattached to the drum along the sides thereof, will yield and therefore will not be pierced or broken by the blow which has pierced or broken the drum. As a result, the corrosive materials will remain fully protected within the liner even though there has been some damage to the drum.

The terms corrosion-resistant and corrosive-resistant as used in the specification and claims are intended to cover materials which are resistant to the corrosive action of the material which is being transported. Such terms include rubber and both natural and synthetic materials or combinations of natural and synthetic materials, as well as compounds orrnixtures of natural or synthetic latices with other ingredients which may be vadded to impart desired properties to the liner.

We claim:

1. In a container for corrosive materials, the combination comprising a hollow drum having aiclosed bottom end and an open upper end, a cover, means cooperating with the open end of said drum to seal the cover to saiddrum, a removable liner of flexible elastic corrosion resistant material positioned within said drum, said liner.

material and comprising a central portion and an up-, standing peripheral lip having its outer surface contacting the inner surface of said liner adjacent the upper end of said drum, the outer diameter of said central portion being substantially equal to the outer diameter of said peripheral lip and substantially equal to the inner diameter of the uppermost end portion of the liner, said means for applying a force adjacent the upper end of the liner comprising an expansion ring acting on said peripheral lip of said second cover and pressing said lip against the interior surface of the upper end of said liner.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 including a temporary cover of flexible elastic corrosion-resistant material having a central portion and a downwardly extending peripheral lip, said cover being adapted to be used on said drum when said first cover is removed and said uppermost end portion of said liner is folded and stretched into sealing contact with the outer surface of said drum, the inner diameter of the peripheral lip of said temporary cover being less than the outer diameter defined by the outer surface of the uppermost end portion of said liner when it is flexed and stretched into sealing contact with the exterior surface of the upper portion of the drum, said downwardly extending pemoved and is normally folded inwardly within the con- 7 tents of the container, the means for applying a force adjacent the upper end of the liner being removed, said uppermost end portion of the liner also protecting the upper end of the drum and preventing the corrosive contents from entering between the liner and theinner. surface of the drum during filling and dispensing.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 including a second cover made of flexible elastic corrosion-resistant ripheral lip of said second cover being flexed and stretched into sealing contact with the outer surface of the uppermost end portion of said liner.

' 4. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein-said liner has a substantially uniform thickness throughout.

5. The combination set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid drum is formed with an annular head on the interior surface thereof adjacent the upper end, said means for applying a force adjacent the. upper end of said liner comprising an expansion ring positioned below said annular bead, the height of the uppermost end portion of said liner being suflicient so that the uppermost end portion of the liner contacts the exterior of the drum adjacent said annular bead when the uppermost end portion is flexed and stretched over the upper end of the drum into sealing contact with the exterior surface of the drum.

References Cited in the file of this patent -UNITED STATES PATENTS Winstead f June ,5, 1956 

